Coin-operated bowling-shoe renting apparatus



March 22, 1966 c. N. MOORE 3,241,547

COIN-OPERATED BOWLING-SHOE RENTING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 27, 1964 COIN-OPERATED BOWLING-SHOE RENTING APPARATUS Filed July 27, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 JFZ /exzv Mam March 22, 1966 c. N. MOORE COIN-OPERATED BOWLING-SHOE RENTING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 27, 1964 J I I I! March 22, 1966 c. N. MOORE COIN-OPERATED BOWLING-SHOE RENTING APPARATUS Filed July 27, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 CIRCUIT NORMAL READY FOR ACTION United States Patent 3,241,647 COHN-GPERATED BOWLING-SHOE RENTENG APPARATUS Carl N. Moore, Chicago, 11L, assiguor t0 Automata, 1110., Chicago, [1]., a corporation of Illinois Filed July 27, 1964, Ser. No. 385,337 8 Claims. (Cl. 19410) In bowling alleys where a special type shoe has to be worn by participants, shoes are made available to patrons for temporary use. Currently, it is the practice for the management to have available a considerable supply of shoes, in a wide range of sizes. As a rule the various sizes of shoes are kept in open compartments and an attendant is required to be on hand for the dispensing and returning of the shoes. If any sterilization of such shoes is undertaken it has to be done, generally, at a time when there is no likely demand for the shoes. Moreover, the sterilization has to be done with equipment at some remote place from that where the shoes are available for use.

The main objects of this invention are; to provide an improved coin-operated apparatus for making bowlingshoes available to patrons not having their own; to provide an improved apparatus of this kind for sterilizing the shoes during the time they are stored in the apparatus subject to being demanded for use; to provide an improved association of electrical units in an electrical circuit for a door-latching mechanism controlling access to each pair of shoes; to provide an improved arrangement of a shoe-sterilizing facility for each pair of shoes in the apparatus for automatic operation following each replacement of each pair of shoes; to provide an improved form of coin-controlled means for activating the latching mechanism, requiring the successive insertion of two coins, one of which coins is finally retained in the apparatus as compensation for the use of the shoes, and the other of which coins is held in escrow subject to return to the patron upon the proper replacing of the rented shoes in sterilizing position in the apparatus; to provide an improved manual key-operated door-locking device from which the key is removable upon closing the door following the removal of the pair of rent-shoes and is subsequently reinsertable into the device to permit reopening the door to replace the rented shoes whereupon the second closing of the door releases the door-latching mechanism locking in the key in the cylinder until a subsequent rental cycle is started; and to provide an improved apparatus of this kind of such simple construction as to make the manufacture thereof comparatively economical and its use highly-appealing to the management and patrons of bowling alleys.

In the adaptation shown in the accompanying drawmgs:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a series of juxtaposed cabinets each equipped with a shoe storage-sterilizing facility and coin-controlled door-latching mechanism and supplemental key-locking device constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the cabinets with the door in open position to show the shoe positioning and sterilizing facility;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective from inside the cabinet showing the door-latching mechanism and locking device;

FIG. '4 is a partly-sectional, partly-broken-away frontto-rear view of parts of the door-latching control mechanism as viewed from the plane of the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a somewhat enlarged, rear perspective view of what is shown in FIG. 4; and

Patented Mar. 22, 1966 ice FIG. 6 is a schema of the electrical circuitry with its various electrical units and devices.

The essential concept of this invention involves a bank of cabinets each of which racks a pair of bowling shoes on a sterilizing facility and mounts a normally-latched door the opening of which is controlled by a double coin deposit mechanism functioning to temporarily retain the coins in separate locations to permit the opening of the door for removal of a pair of shoes for temporary use, the subsequent proper re-racking of which shoes will effect a return of one of the coins following the relocking of the door.

A bowling-shoe renting apparatus embodying the foregoing concept comprises a bank of cabinets 11 each of which racks a pair of shoes on a sterilizing facility 12 access to which shoes is obtained through a door 13 normally secured closed by a latching mechanism 14 all of which is controlled by a series of electrically-operated units A through U, resulting from the successive insertion of two coins into a receiving chute 15 for successive transfer to the respective temporary holding chutes 16 and 17 pending the return and proper re-racking of the rented shoes on the sterilizing facility 12 and the closing of the door 13.

The cabinets 11 are of more or less conventional structure divided into two compartments 18 and 19 by a partition 19'. The larger compartment 18 houses the shoesterilizing facility 12 accessible through the door 13 which mounts a supplemental manual key-locking device 22. The shallower compartment 19 houses most of the doorlatching mechanism 14 and the circuitry involving the electrically-operated units A to U, and the associated chutes 15, 16 .and 17.

The shoe-sterilizing facilit) 12 includes a pair of the shoe-positioning racks 23 each with a juxtaposed germicidal lamp 24. These racks 23 are in the form of flanged plates which span the compartment 18 transversely in a rearward upwardly-inclined position. Each lamp 24 is fixed on the respective rack 23 to extend normally upwardly forward therefrom within a pair of bimetal arms 25, the functioning of which will be explained presently.

The door 13 is attached to the cabinet by a piano hinge 26. It mounts on its inner face a recessed lug 27 and the key-actuated locking device 22. The lug 27 forms a part of locking the coin-controlled door-latching mechanism 14.

The door-latching mechanism 14 comprises a bar 28 spanning and attached at its opposite ends to solenoids J and K and mounts a locking pin 29, a switch-tripping pin 31, an L-shaped trip arm 32 (FIG. 4) and a stop bracket 33. With the opposite shifting of the bar 28, by the alternating action of the solenoids J and K, the pin 29 moves into and out of the recessed lug 27 for latching and unlatching the door 13. Such movement of the bar 28 also causes the switch pin 31 to control the functioning of the switch L through the action of the finger 34 (FIGS. 3 and 5). Such shifting of the bar 28 also moves the stop bracket 33 into and out of position for control of the key-locking device 22, as will be explained presently.

The chutes 15, 16 and 17 are arranged in the cabinet compartment 19. The chute 15 is hereinafter referred to as the deposit chute and registers with a slot 36 on the front of the cabinet 11 for the reception of the coins. The chutes 16 and 17, hereinafter respectively designated collector and escrow chutes, are located at suitable spaced positions in the cabinet compartment 19. Cointravel channels (not shown) connect the deposit chute with the two other chutes, as indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 6. Also, coin travel channels connect the collector chute 16 with a coin receptacle in the cabinet (not shown) and the escrow chute 17 with a cup 37 located exteriorly of the cabinet 11 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

The key-locking device 22 (FIGS. 2 and 3) is provided solely for the purpose of locking the door 13 during the time a pair of rented shoes is out of the cabinet, presumably in use. Obviously, the coin-controlled latchingmechanism 14 has been retracted, by the insertion of the two coins. It will remain so, pending the return of the shoes and their proper replacement on the sterilizing facility 12. During such absence of the rented shoes, the patrons shoes would be in position on the sterilizing facility 12. This device 22 comprises a conventional tumbler cylinder 38 fixed on .the door 13 adjacently below the recessed door-latching lug 27. The cylinder 38 is limited to turning only ninety degrees in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3. This would be in a clockwise direction to the patron facing the cabinet. Moreover, this locking device 22 is structured so that a key 39 can be removed from the cylinder 38and reinserted thereinonly when a locking arm 41, fixed on the cylinder 38, is in a vertical position to which it is initially shifted, after the retraction of the coin-controlled locking mechanism 14, to permit opening of the door 13 for access to the rented shoes.

The arm 41, fixed on the inner end of the cylinder 38, is of a length to extend horizontally across the inwardlyexposed edge of an angle plate 42, fixed on the inner face of the panel 43 that closes the front of the compartment 19. In this horizontal position, the arm 41 is prevented from being shifted out of contact with the plate 42 except when the locking bar 28 is elevated to retract the door-latching mechanism 14, for reasons that will be explained presently.

The cabinet panel 43, for the compartment 19, has formed therein the coin slot 36 and supports the returncoin cup 37, coin-controlling switches A and R and mounts a neon lamp 44 and a coin-rejector lever 50. The neon lamp 44 is arranged for activation during the time that a pair of rent-shoes is out of the cabinet. The coin-rejector lever 50 is manually operable to return to the depositor thereof, a bent coin or slug, in the event such should have been inserted into the slot 36. The rejector mechanism forms no part of this invention, it being a commercial item.

The electrically-operated devices, indicated in the FIG. schema, which are put into coordinated functional relationship, by the insertion of two coins, comprises the fol lowing:

(A) A double-pole, single throw, momentary-contact switch which actuates the later-described solenoid B and relay C.

(B) A solenoid for holding the coins in the deposit chute until released by the switch A.

(C) A relay, part of the rejector unit, which is actuated by the switch A to by-pass the first coin to the collector chute.

(D) A solenoid that holds the first coin until completion of the renting cycle whereupon it is actuated by the switch R.

(E) A normally-open switch, comprising a part of the rejector unit, closed by the first coin and actuates the holding relay F. It is released at the completion of the renting cycle when the solenoid D is activated.

(F) A single-throw 3-pole relay actuated by the switch E. Contacts x actuate the escrow solenoid I. Contacts y actuate the release solenoid I. Contacts 2: close the pilot light circuit.

(G) Neon pilot light which remains lit until renting cycle is completed.

(H) A snap-action switch operated by the second coin when deposited in the escrow chute.

(I) A solenoid which holds the coin in the escrow chute.

(I) A solenoid activated to elevate the locking bar 28.

(K) A solenoid activated to lower the locking bar 28.

(L) A snap switch for germicidal lamp lock-out.

(M) Manual lock (22) operated by removal key (39).

(N) A snap-switch for lock and lamp control.

(0) A bi-metal switch for germicidal lamp control.

(P) and (Q) Germicidal lamp starters, sockets and ballasts.

(R) Single-pole, single-throw switch with momentary contact to release solenoid D and switch E to actuate doorlatching solenoid K, and also release solenoid I.

(S) Snap-switch actuated when shoes are placed on shoe rack to restore circuit to functioning status.

(T) Load-resistance for timing bi-metal switch 0.

(U) Snap-switch for opening and restoring lock-out.

The herein-described apparatus operates as follows:

Two coins, of the same denomination, are required for successive insertion into the coin slot 36 at the front of the cabinet 11. (FIG. 2.) The first coin enters the chute 15 and contacts the armature 45 of the solenoid B where descent of the coin is temporarly arrested pending the activation of the switch A. The activation of the switch A effects the retraction of the armature 45 of the solenoid B. Thereupon the first coin, is released by the relay C to pass on to the collector chute 16 where it is arrested by the armature 46 of the solenoid D. The first coin is held in this chute 16 until the rented shoes are returned to the racks 23 and the door 13 finally closed, as later will be explained more fully.

Co-incidentally with such arresting of the first coin in the solenoid D, the closing of the switch E results in the energizing of the holding relay F for sequential activation of the switches x, y and z. The switch Fx is closed to activate the solenoid I to effect the retraction of the armature 47 of the solenoid and cause the rocker-arm 48 to shift the stop 49 across the escrow chute 17. The second coin then is inserted into the coin slot 36 the descent of which is arrested by the armature 45 of the solenoid B pending the second activation of the switch A as just explained about the first coin. However, the closing of the switch E, by contact of the first coin, also opens the circuit to the solenoid C, thereby inactivating that solenoid upon the second depression of the switch A, following the insertion of the second coin in the slot 36. Hence, the second coin is diverted to the escrow chute 17 where it is retained by the stop 49 until the rented shoes have been properly re-racked, following the use thereof, and the closing of the door 13, as will be explained presently.

The closing of the switch H permits the closed switch Fy to complete the circuit to the solenoid J and thereby effect the raising of the bar 28. Such upward movement of the bar 28 retracts the pin 29 from the recess in the door-locking lug 27. This elevation of the bar 28 also opens the switch L which opens the circuit to the germicidal lamps 24. At the same time the elevation of the bar 28 retracts the stop 33 from the path of the key-operated arm 41 to permit turning of the cylinder 38 by the key 39 and thereby move the arm 41 out from behind the plate 42 and into a vertical position.

This permits opening the door 13 for access to the rented shoes and the placing of the patrons shoes on the sterilizing racks. Thereupon, the immediate closing of the door 13, and the turning of the key 39, to return the arm 41 behind the bar 42, not only locks the door 13 but causes the arm 41 to contact the switch N to effect the sterilization of the patrons shoes, if properly positioned on the racks 23.

The switch Fz closes the circuit to the pilot light G thereby signaling the existence of a rental cycle for that particular cabinet 11.

When the door 13 is opened the curved plate 51 fixed on the lower end of the door adjacent the hinge 26 also shifts outwardly closing switch U by riding on and der 1) pressing the pushbutton portion 52 of said switch and thereby locking out the circuit to make the coin return switch R, the light switch N and the electric door locking mechanism completely ineffective. When the door is closed the plate 13 shifts oif of the pushbutton portion 52 thereby restoring the circuit to recondition the circuit.

The arrested postion of the second coin in the escrow chute 17 activates the switch H to complete the circuit to the just-described pilot light.

The door 13 of the cabinet 11 being opened, the patron may remove the pair of rentable shoes from the racks 23 and permit the placing of his own shoes on the rack 23, pending the return of the rented shoes, and thusly, effect the sterilizing of the patrons shoes. Incidentally, the opening of the door 13 effects the retraction of the switch U which opens the circuit to the germicidal lamps 24 pending the subsequent closing of the door 13.

Upon closing the door 13, following this exchange of shoes, and turning the key cylinder 38 to lock position, the arm 41 is swung back around behind the plate 42. The key 39 then may be withdrawn from the cylinder 38 and retained by the patron as evidence that he has obtained the shoes from a particular cabinet 11 and to permit him to return to that cabinet 11 for replacing the rented shoes and retrieving his own shoes.

Upon returning to the cabinet, for this exchange of shoes, the patron inserts the key 39 into the cylinder 38 and turns the same to swing the arm 41 upwardly out of contact behind the plate 42. The door 13 then may be opened to permit access to the patrons shoes and the replacement of the rented shoes. It is imperative that the replaced shoes be properly set on the racks 23, otherwise the circuitry will not be operatively restored to permit the return of the escrow coin.

Upon properly replacing the rented shoes on the racks 23 and closing the door 13 several sequences occur in the circuitry. The switch R is depressed to energize the solenoid D whereupon the armature 46 is retracted to permit the discharge of the first coin into a container in the cabinet 11, as compensation for the patrons use of the shoes. Also, the snap switch S is closed to complete the circuit to the germicidal lamps P and Q, upon a subsequent closing of the door 13. The closing of the door 13 and the subsequent closing of the switch U to effect the energization of the solenoid K. This causes the lowering of the bar 28 and reseating of the pin 29 in the recessed door lug 27. Also, the lowering of the bar 28 shifts the stop 33 into the path of the cylinder arm 41 to thereby prevent actuation of the device 22.

The release of the coin from the deposit chute 16 opens the switch E. This breaks the circuit to the solenoid I thereby effecting the retraction of the stop 49 and releasing the second coin from the escrow chute 17. This coin, thereupon, drops into the cup 37 where it may be retrieved by the patron.

It will be understood that details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A sport-shoe renting apparatus comprising, a cabinet, a rack in the cabinet for the support of a pair of sport shoes, at door on the cabinet shiftable into and out of closed position, door-latching mechanism, coin-activated electrical units for controlling the door-latching mechanism to permit access to the shoes and the relatching of the door following the replacement of the rented shoes on the rack, said coin-activated electrical units including means for holding two successively-inserted coins in separate temporary positions in the cabinet, means activated by the coins in their holding positions for retracting the door-latching mechanism to permit opening of the door for the removal of the shoes, other means activated by the replacement of the shoes on the rack for releasing the door-latching mechanism upon the closing of the door and also effecting the release of the two coins, one for discharge into the cabinet and the other for discharge exteriorly of the cabinet for return to the depositor of the coins, and a manual key-operated locking arm mounted on the door to permit storage of personal shoes and locking the door in the interim during the useof rented shoes.

2. A sport-shoe renting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a germicidal facility is juxtaposed to the rack, and a time-controlled accessory activates the germicidal facility upon the relatching of the door following the replacement of the shoes on the rack.

3. A sport-shoe renting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a pilot light exteriorly of the cabinet is activated by the position of the door-latching mechanism during the period the coins are in their holding positions to indicate the rent shoes are removed from the cabinet.

4. A sport-shoe renting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a door-locking ar-m seating a manually removable key is mounted on the door for shifting into and out of door-locking position during the retraction of the electrically-operated door-latching mechanism.

5. A sport-shoe renting apparatus comprising,

(a) a cabinet mounting a hinged door for swinging into and out of closed position,

(b) door-latching mechanism having electrically-operated units for shifting the mechanism into and out of door-latching position,

(0) a rack fixed in the cabinet for positioning a pair of shoes,

(d) germicidal lamps juxtaposed to the rack for sterilizing the rack-positioned shoes,

(e) coin-receiving chute arranged in the cabinet for the reception of coins inserted through an exteriorly-open slot in the cabinet,

(f) a pair of supplemental coin-arresting chutes arranged in the cabinet in spaced relationship to the coin-receiving chutes,

each for the temporary reception of one of two coins successively inserted into the coin-receiving chute,

(g) electrically-activated units interposed between the coin-receiving chute and the supplemental coin chutes,

for directing into the respective supplemental coinchutes two coins successively inserted into the coin-receiving chute,

(h) other electrically-activated units arranged adjacent the respective coin chutes for holding the coins temporarily in the respective chutes,

(i) switch means juxtaposed to the respective supplemental coin chutes,

activated by the reception of coins in the respective supplemental chutes,

for retracting the latching mechanism to permit opening of the door for access to the shoes,

(j) other switch means juxtaposed to the shoe rack for activation by the replacing of the shoes on the rack and releasing the door latching mechanism from retracted position upon closing of the door, and

releasing the coins from their supplemental chutes,

one for discharge into the cabinet the other for discharge exteriorly of the cabinet, and

(k) electrical circuitry connecting the electrically-operated units and the switch means with a source of electricity.

6. A sport-shoe renting apparatus as set forth in claim 5 which includes (1) a door-locking arm shiftable on the door and seat ing a manually removable key positionable to lock the door during the retraction of the electrically-operated door-latching mechanism.

- 7 7. A sport-shoe renting apparatus as set forth in claim 6 which includes switch means for activating the germicidal lamps when the patrons shoes are placed on the rack during the period the sport shoes are removed.

8. A sport-shoe renting apparatus as set forth in claim 5 which includes (m) a pilot light exteriorly of the cabinet activated during the period the coins are in their supplemental c0inarresting chutes, to indicate a renting cycle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Coupal et al 194-37 X Marder 221129 X Timms 1949 Chandler 19451 Jordan 19492 LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SPORT-SHOE RENTING APPARATUS COMPRISING, A CABINET A RACK IN THE CABINET FOR THE SUPPORT OF A PAIR OF SPORT SHOES, A DOOR ON THE CABINET SHIFTABLE INTO AND OUT OF CLOSED POSITION, DOOR-LATCHING MECHANISM, COIN-ACTIVATED ELECTRICAL UNITS FOR CONTROLLING THE DOOR-LATCHING MECHANISM TO PERMIT ACCESS TO THE SHOES AND THE RELATCHING OF THE DOOR FOLLOWING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE RENTED SHOES ON THE RACK, SAID COIN-ACTIVATED ELECTRICAL UNITS INCLUDING MEANS FOR HOLDING TWO SUCCESSIVELY-INSERTED COINS IN SEPARATE TEMPORARY POSITIONS IN THE CABINET, MEANS ACTIVATED BY THE COINS IN THEIR HOLDING POSITIONS FOR RETRACTING THE DOOR-LATCHING MECHANISM TO PERMIT OPENING OF THE DOOR FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE SHOES, OTHER MEANS ACTIVATED BY THE DISPLACEMENT OF THE SHOES ON THE RACK FOR RELEASING THE DOOR-LATCHING MECHANISM UPON THE CLOSING OF THE DOOR AND ALSO EFFECTING THE RELEASE OF THE TWO COINS, ONE FOR DISCHARGE INTO THE CABINET AND THE OTHER FOR DISCHARGE EXTERIORLY OF THE CABINET FOR RETURN TO THE DEPOSITOR OF THE COINS, AND A MANUAL KEY-OPERATED LOCKING ARM MOUNTED ON THE DOOR TO PERMIT STORAGE OF PERSONAL SHOES AND LOCKING THE DOOR IN THE INTERIM DURING THE USE OF RENTED SHOES. 